Image controller

Abstract

Methods of manufacturing image controllers structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with at least a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. An active tactile feedback vibrator is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a user. Some preferred embodiments also incorporate proportional sensors allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

1 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller for controlling imagery, comprising the steps of: 
 installing a pivotally moveable button as a part of said image controller, and    installing a proportional sensor positioned to be activated by pivoting motion of said pivotally moveable button, and    installing circuitry for reading said proportional sensor and causing the imagery to change variably according to said pivoting motion of said pivotal button.    
   
   
       2 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 installing a first two-axes input structure as part of said controller,    installing active tactile feedback means.    
   
   
       3 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller according to  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 installing a second pivotally moveable button as part of said image controller, and    installing a second proportional sensor positioned to be activated by pivoting motion of said second pivotally moveable button, and    installing a second two-axes input structure as part of said controller.    
   
   
       4 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of: 
 installing a third two-axes input structure as part of said controller.    
   
   
       5 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller according to  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 installing a pressure-sensitive button for variably controlling imagery in relation to pressure applied to said pressure-sensitive button.    
   
   
       6 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller according to  claim 5 , further comprising the step of: 
 installing a sheet, said sheet supporting electrical circuit traces and said sheet connecting the proportional sensors with sensors associated with said first two-axes input structure and with a pressure-sensitive sensor associated with said pressure-sensitive button.    
   
   
       7 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller for at least in part controlling an image generation machine, said image generation machine for controlling imagery shown by a display; the method comprising the steps of: 
 molding a housing graspable by a human user's hand;    installing a first button positioned at least in part exposed exterior of said housing to be variably depressible by a finger of a hand grasping said housing, said first button structured to rotate upon depression by a finger,    installing a first proportional sensor, said first proportional sensor mounted within said housing and activatable by rotation of said first button;    installing a second button positioned at least in part exposed exterior of said housing to be variably depressible by a finger of a hand grasping said housing, said second button structured to rotate upon depression by a finger,    installing a second proportional sensor, said second proportional sensor mounted within said housing and activatable by rotation of said second button;    installing circuitry for reading the first and second proportional sensors, said circuitry for creating an electrical output related to variable depression of the associated buttons, and for communicating said output to the image generation machine causing imagery shown by the display to be variably controlled through variable depression of the first and second buttons;    installing a two-axes input structure at least in part supported by said housing, said two-axes input structure associated with sensors for sensing two axes of inputs;    installing a sheet at least in part supporting said circuitry, said sheet connecting the first and second proportional sensors, said sheet also connecting the sensors associated with said two-axes input structure;    installing a motor and weight for providing feedback to a hand grasping said housing, said motor is positioned within said housing.    
   
   
       8 . A method of manufacturing a hand operable image controller according to  claim 7  further including the steps: 
 installing a third proportional sensor to be activated by human input, and    installing a fourth proportional sensor to be activated by human input;    said third proportional sensor is pressure-sensitive and includes a resilient dome cap, and    said fourth proportional sensor is pressure-sensitive and includes a resilient dome cap;    the resilient dome caps of the third and the fourth proportional sensors are each structured to provide a break-over tactile feedback.